Current Issue
April/May/June 2022
This issue's feature article:
An alphabet of hope?
St John Paul II is generally thought of as a traditionalist, but he was not averse to breaking moulds when it suited him. His first move was to plonk a great big ‘M’ for Mary on his coat of arms, which the then nuncio in London, Bruno Heim, regarded as a heraldic aberration. John Paul II added five more decades to the Rosary (I like them), and pretty soon after his election evened up our concept of Europe by making the more Eastern-facing Cyril and Methodius co-patrons alongside St Benedict.
Anthony Towey
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Mar
30
2022
An alphabet of hope?
Anthony Towey St John Paul II is generally thought of as a traditionalist, but he was not averse to breaking moulds when it suited him. His first ...
Synodality - where are we going with it? A view from the parish
Fernanda Mee reflects on synodality, the domestic church and the Church’s mission embodied in the life of the parish. Like the video conference ...
Dead bones dancing: Can the Synod revive the Church? A feminist view
For the Synod on the Church to be truly effective, the voices of all women must be heard, writes Catholic theologian Tina Beattie. In my ...
‘But it is not so among you’ (Mark 10.43): Leadership in a Catholic setting
In today’s liberal, secular culture, fewer are coming forward for leadership roles which require a faith commitment. A new leadership programme ...
‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ – love, hatred, school life and an unexpected lunch with Iris Murdoch
As we emerge from the pandemic, Simon Uttley considers what Catholic schools are for, and the role of love within them, inspired by Iris Murdoch’s ...
Celebrating the common good
In October 1996, the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales published a substantial statement about Catholic Social Teaching, The Common Good and ...
The University of Life: Liberation Theology for the political prisoner
Much has been written about the oppression in Chile following the military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet in September 1973. Luis Macchiavello ...
A scripturally centred Church: The God who Speaks across schools and dioceses
In this second of two article, Fleur Dorrell explores how schools and dioceses have engaged with the God who Speaks campaign to date. We declare to ...
Knowing Judaism in order to present Jesus
Alfredo Delgado Gómez continues his exploration of the Jewishness – and the Jewish world – of Jesus. My previous article drew attention to ...
The trouble with angels
Angels are more than guardians of our wellbeing, we need to understand their place in the divine plan, writes Silas Henderson SDS. I have to admit ...
Musings on the Ascension
Bernard Robinson discusses a few different ways of viewing the Feast of the Ascension by way of aids to meditating, praying and preaching. The ...
Pentecost then and now
Gerald O’Collins SJ looks at how contemplating the Holy Spirit in poetry, liturgy and Scripture can help us appreciate Pentecost. In a poem on ...
Christian persecution today
Christians in many countries encounter appalling persecution, with women and girls facing a double jeopardy of injustice. Neville Kyrke-Smith writes ...
The next three months reveal the Church as focused totally on the Paschal Mystery and its consequences as celebrated in her Liturgy. This period comprises the final weeks of the season of Lent which invites the faithful to prepare themselves and their communities to celebrate Holy Week, Holy Week itself, and the whole season of Eastertide and the associated great feasts of the Lord.
Robert Draper is a parish priest in Dorset.
Sunday 3 April
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Psalm 125
Philippians 3.8–14
John 8.1–11
An alphabet of hope?Anthony Towey St John Paul II is generally thought of as a traditionalist, but he was not averse to breaking moulds when it suited him. His first ...
Synodality - where are we going with it? A view from the parishFernanda Mee reflects on synodality, the domestic church and the Church’s mission embodied in the life of the parish. Like the video conference ...
Dead bones dancing: Can the Synod revive the Church? A feminist viewFor the Synod on the Church to be truly effective, the voices of all women must be heard, writes Catholic theologian Tina Beattie. In my ...
‘But it is not so among you’ (Mark 10.43): Leadership in a Catholic settingIn today’s liberal, secular culture, fewer are coming forward for leadership roles which require a faith commitment. A new leadership programme ...
‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ – love, hatred, school life and an unexpected lunch with Iris MurdochAs we emerge from the pandemic, Simon Uttley considers what Catholic schools are for, and the role of love within them, inspired by Iris Murdoch’s ...
Celebrating the common goodIn October 1996, the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales published a substantial statement about Catholic Social Teaching, The Common Good and ...
The University of Life: Liberation Theology for the political prisonerMuch has been written about the oppression in Chile following the military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet in September 1973. Luis Macchiavello ...
A scripturally centred Church: The God who Speaks across schools and diocesesIn this second of two article, Fleur Dorrell explores how schools and dioceses have engaged with the God who Speaks campaign to date. We declare to ...
Knowing Judaism in order to present JesusAlfredo Delgado Gómez continues his exploration of the Jewishness – and the Jewish world – of Jesus. My previous article drew attention to ...
The trouble with angelsAngels are more than guardians of our wellbeing, we need to understand their place in the divine plan, writes Silas Henderson SDS. I have to admit ...
Musings on the AscensionBernard Robinson discusses a few different ways of viewing the Feast of the Ascension by way of aids to meditating, praying and preaching. The ...
Pentecost then and nowGerald O’Collins SJ looks at how contemplating the Holy Spirit in poetry, liturgy and Scripture can help us appreciate Pentecost. In a poem on ...
Christian persecution todayChristians in many countries encounter appalling persecution, with women and girls facing a double jeopardy of injustice. Neville Kyrke-Smith writes ...
Weekdays in April/May/June 2022
Friday 1 April
Wisdom 2.1,12–22
Numbers 6.22–27
Psalm 33
John 7.1–2,10,25–30
The background of John 7–10 is the Feast of Sukkoth (Tabernacles) and its aftermath in Jerusalem. By the first century CE, this had become not merely the memorial of the wandering in the wilderness and the autumn harvest festival but also the major eschatological feast. John is subtly pointing out that Jesus is the fulfillment of this major feast. As usual in John, the conversation between Jesus and his opposition forms the dramatic element. The hatred towards Jesus has grown, but he still speaks openly and freely. Importantly, the theological motif ...
Friday 1 April
Wisdom 2.1,12–22
Numbers 6.22–27
Psalm 33
John 7.1–2,10,25–30
The background of John 7–10 is the Feast of Sukkoth (Tabernacles) and its aftermath in Jerusalem. By the first century CE, this had become not merely the memorial of the wandering in the wilderness and the autumn harvest festival but also the major eschatological feast. John is subtly pointing out that Jesus is the fulfillment of this major feast. As usual in John, the conversation between Jesus and his opposition forms the dramatic element. The hatred towards Jesus has grown, but he still speaks openly and freely. Importantly, the theological motif ...
The next three months reveal the Church as focused totally on the Paschal Mystery and its consequences as celebrated in her Liturgy. This period comprises the final weeks of the season of Lent which invites the faithful to prepare themselves and their communities to celebrate Holy Week, Holy Week itself, and the whole season of Eastertide and the associated great feasts of the Lord.
Robert Draper is a parish priest in Dorset.
Sunday 3 April
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Psalm 125
Philippians 3.8–14
John 8.1–11
The recollection of the Exodus and particularly the passage through the Red Sea is referred to frequently in the Hebrew scriptures as the great act of God ...
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Michael A. Hayes 1957 - 2017
Michael A. Hayes 1957 - 2017
It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Rev. Professor Michael Hayes editor of the Pastoral Review.
Many friends and readers of the Pastoral Review and The Tablet will have been shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Michael Hayes early on Easter Saturday. Read More